Advertising display sign



1,621 March l15, 1927. C. D' WINTERS ,096

ADVERTISING DISPLAY SIGN l March l5 927 c. D. WINTERs ADVERTISING DISPLAY SIGN Filed F'eb. 23. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NNNN ' Patented Mar. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES .CHER'LES D. WINTERS, 0F ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T CHARLES G. STOCKTON, F OCEAN GROVE, NEW JERSEY.

.ADVERTISING DISPLAY S'IGN.

Application med Eebruary23, 1924. Serial No. 694,634.

This invention relates to changing electric signs, though it is noted that the invention is not limited to changing signs or electric signs, nor in some respects even to luminous signs.

AOne object of the invention is to provide an apparatus or device of this kind in which the letters and characters of the sign may be easily interchanged for displaying a variety of matter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an a paratus or deviceof this kind having e c1ent means for instantaneously changing the sign to present the successive parts of sentences or other matter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus or device of this kind having an improved means of mounting sign luminating means and means for darkening the sign during the changes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus or device of this kind having fixed, or constant, signs associated with the variable or changing sign and conforming to or completing or forming a continuation of the-variable sign.

Other objects of the invention are to imL prove generally the simplicity and efficiency of such devices and to provide a device or apparatus of this class which is durable, economical to manufacture and operate and which will not get out of order.

Still other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds; and

scribed, the invention is not limited to these since many and various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. i

The inventive features for the accomplishwent ot these and other objects are shown herein in connection with an improved sign which, briefly stated, includes a. motor driven rotary drum mounted between two supporting brackets and provided with removable sides each provided with a row of letter openings in which are seated individual letter or character Jframes secured by latches and formed with panels having the characters perforated therein. A housing over the drum is provided'with a window through which the rows of characters are successively exposed as the drum is rotated while herein details of the invention are de.

step by s tep by a suitable motor `driven means whlch also, as the drum moves a step,

cuts oli' current from electric lamps carried vpartly in section, showing the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation partly in sec i .tion showing the drum and its. rotating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the op site end ofthe drum and the motor gdr driving the same;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing one of the brackets supporting the drum;

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the relector and a lamp therein;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental front elevation showlng a removable side and removable letter frame seated therein; 1

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken on-the line 7--7 of Fig. 6, lookng in the directionof the arrow of said Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken'on the line 8--8 of Fig. 6, lookng in the direction of the arrow of said Fig. 9 is a front elevation showing a letter frame;

Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical sectional View of a letter frame with the latch open:

Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the frame in the letter opening with the latch open;

Fig. 12 is a similar vertical sectional view, with the latch closed;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of another form of a sign;

Fig. 14 is a fragmental side view of the gear and contact plate thereon shown in front elevation in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 15 is adiagram of the electric circuit 4appurtenant to said gear and contact plate.

The various parts of the apparatus 'are carried on a base 10 carrying upright brack- I 21 provided with bores 22 received on said l outer bushings 13. Horizontal rods/25l (Fig.

3)' connect said heads and carry a plurality of sides 26 covering said frame and provided with lintermeshed inwardly curved edge flanges 27 (Fig. 7) clasping partly around said rods. Each of saidsides is provided with a row of letter openings 28; a1id a housing 30 (Figs. 1 and 2) disposed over said vdrum isfprovided with'awindow 31 'with which the front row of openings reg1s.

rs. l Individual letter or character 'frames 35 interchangeably seated in the letter openg ings, each comprises an outer flange 36 (Fig. 11) adapted to rest flat against the outer face of said sides 26, and an impressed panel 37 perforated with letters or other characters 38 (Fig. 9). 4The impressing of said panel forms' an inwardly beveled marginalportion 40 adapted to seat. in said .letter openings 28 (Fig. 11).

Said marginal portions are provided Vwith up er and lower apertures 41 receivin opposite y projectingv ends 42 of a latch having a bail portion 44 adapted to be disposed forwardly of the letter opening 28 (Fig. 4) or to be caught under a projection 45` (Fig. 6) in said marginal portion 40.

' Said opposite ends 42 are disposed at right angles to the ends 47 of vthe bail portions and inclined away from the plane of the bail portion on the same side of said plane as shown in Fig.7. Thus when the bail portion is disposed straight in front of the letter opening the ends 42 are removed from the inner face of said sides 26 (Fig. 11) but wnen the bail portion is caught under said projection 45 (Fig. 12) said ends 42 are engaged` tightly against said inner -faf'e to holdl the letter frames 35 .securely in place. Thus the frames are ezisily interchanged for spelling different combinations. f

A reflector 50 (Fig. 4) having an open :front towards the front row of openings 28 is provided in its end wal-ls with central vopenings 51.received on said inner bushings 15 between the fianges 16 thereof and the outer bushings 13. Lamps 52 are mounted 6.5 a beveled gear 56 meshing with a pinion 57 fast on a governor shaft 58 mounted in said motorbracket and 'carrying a governor -59 and a worm 60., A reducing gear shaft` 64 mounted in said motor and -red cing gear brackets is provided at one end wit -a-worm wheel engaging said worm 60 and at the other endwith a small pinion 66 meshing with a large contact gear 67 (Fig. 2) provided with an arcuate contact face 68 of less than 180. 'Said gear is mounted on'a stub shaft v69 rotatably mounted in the gear bracket provided at the inner end with a disk .70 (Fig.'1) carrying a crank 71.

An insulating block 73 mounted upon said gar' bracket 63 carries a pair of separated Contact brushes 74 mounted on said block adapted simultaneously to engage and disengage-contact face 68 as the reducing gear rotates. Line conductors 75 (Fig. 15) extending to said motor feed current to service conductors 76 and 77 connecting said brushes and said lamp sockets 1n series across said line conductorsand passing through vsaid inner bushings 15 and a lrear bushing 78 in the rear wall of the reflector.

A rocking arm 8O (Fig.2) is mounted on said outer bushing 13 and is retained by a flange' 81 and connected to a ylink 82 connectin the outer end of the arm with .Said

crank 1. A spring pawl 83 (Fig. 2) on said arm presses againstthel adjacent head 21 and is engageable with pins 84 carried on said head. whereby as said contact gear rotates, said frame brings another row of letter openings in front of the sign Window. Said contact face and said arm are so related that the current is brokenand the lights are out as the drum movesa step. An exten` sion bracket -85 mounted on vthe upright bracket 12 carries a. friction pad 86 engaging the head 21 opposite to the first to control the momentum or throw Aof the drum in its rotation when the drum is moved step by step by engagement of the pawl 83 with the pins 84.

The operation is simple, and obvious from the foregoing. The housing 30being removed, the frames 35 are selected vto spell the required words and placed in the opeuings 28. To insert the frame. the latch is moved to the position of Fig. 10, the lower end 42 is placed through. the opening 28 andthe frame slightly lowered to permit the upper end 42 to be passed through the opening. The frame is then seated and the latch moved to'the position of Figs. v6 and 12 to lock the frame in place.

The housing is then replaced and the current turned on. thus causing the lamps to light, the crank 71 to revolve, the paw] to oscillate and the drumto rotate step by step.

thus successively to register the rows of.'

characters with the window 3 sign.

The contact face 68 engages the brushes to light the lamp on the back stroke of the 1 to expose thel luminated si zontal or longer than the diameter of the4 drum. Neither is it necessary that the signs be illuminated by interior means, or at all when used during the day. The sign of Fig. 1 thus may be used either as an i1- or a day sign.

Neither is 1t necessary that all of the sign be illuminated or all changing. The roof sign 90 shown ini Fig. 13 mountedon a building 91 includes a rotary drum similar -to that of Fig. land having rows of char-v acters thereon to provide a chan ing sign 92. A housing secured over sai drumis provided in vits front wall 93 with a horizontal sigrrwindow 94 with which the front row of said characters registers. nated or unilluminated constant signs 95 4and 96 disposed in said front wall are assoeiated with and form a part or continuation of said changing sign. Thus the fixed and changing signs cooperate to form a complete si though the invention is not limited to signs relating to a singlesubject.

,1. In combination, a rotary drum having a plurality of removable sides having each a row of openings therein; individual character frames removably seated in said open ings; a wall having a window 1n front ofa row of said frames; and means for rotating said drum.

2. In combination, a rotary drum having a plurality of removable sides each side having a row of alined openings therein; individual 'frames emovably secured in said openings and provided with translucent display characters; ahousing around the drum raving a sight opening with which the frames secured in said o nings are succes sively registerable when t e drum is rotated; means for illuminating the translucent characters when the frames are in registration with said sight opening; and means for r0- tating the drum step by step. 3. In combination, a rotary drum havinga plurality of renlovable sides each side having a row of alined openings therein; individual frames removably secured in said openings and constituting a plurality of rows of frames corresponding to said rowsof openings and provided with translucent display characters; a housing around the drum laving a sight opening with which the rows of frames secured in said openings are successively registerable when the drum is rotated; means for rotating the drum step by step;

Illumi- Y and means means for illuniinating the translucent char-l acters and 'means 'for lighting fsa'idf means forl illu'niiniftion"A when one of -the rows of frames Aregistration with -said 'sight' opening and extinguishing said' means- .fo'rj illumination-when all'l the rows of framesJ registration with the '--sight open#v are out of ing i 4. In combination, a drum comprising a frame having heads and horizontal rods connecting said heads, and a plurality of'sides' covering said frame and' provided with intermeshed inwardly curved edge flanges clasping -partl around said rods, said sides being provide with rows of-letter openings; individual character frames removably seated in said openin and having characters perforated therein; a light in said drum; v l

and means for rotating said drum.

5. In combination, upright brackets provided with alined bores; outer 'bushings fitted in said bores; inner bushings fitted i'n said outer bushings, each having an inner flange spaced from 'the outer bushing; -a drum comprising heads rotatably mounted and rotatably received on said -outer bushings; sides connecting said heads; said sides Y being provided with .rows of translucent characters; a wall 'having a window with which the front row of said translucent characters registers; a reflector having an open front towards said front row and provided in itsend walls withopenings andl received `on said inner bushings between the flanges lamps mounted in the rear part of said reflector; conductors passing through said inner. bushings and leading to said lamps; for rotating said drum step by step.

6. In combination, uprights carrying bushings; a drum rotatably carried on the thereof and the outer bushings;

bushings and having rows of translucent 'ij characters thereon; a reflector secured on said bushings; a light in the reflector; and ineans for rotating the drum.

7. In combination, upright brackets provided with alined bores; outer bushings fitted in said bores; inner bushings fitted in said outer bushings, each having an inner flange spaced from thel outer bushing; a frame .comprising heads provided with bores ,received on said outer bushings, and horizontal rods connecting said heads; a plurality of sides covering said frame and provided with infermeshed inwardly curved edge flanges clasping partly around said 1liol rods; said sides being provided withv rows l of letter openings; a housing over said frame provided `with a window with which the' front row of letter openings registers; individual character frames removablyl seated in said openings; electric lights in said drum; conductors passing through the inner l frames in'place.

8. In combination, a rotary drum having v.a pllurality of sides having openings therein; a

ousing over said frame provi ed with a window with which the front row of openings registers; individual letter or character for the letter openings, each comprising an outer flange adaptedl to rest against the outer face of said sides and an impressed panel perforated with said letter characters'and forming an inwardly beveled marginaL portion adapted to.seat in said letter openings; said marginal portlons being provided with u per and lower apertures and at one side wit an outpressedk projection; a latch comprising a pair of oppositely projecting ends engaged through said perforations and extended behind said sides, anda bail adapted to be dis osed forwardly of the letter opening or to e caught under said projection. f

9. In combination, a compartmentv comprising a side provided with ka row lot letter openings; individual letter or charactery frames each having an impressed panel for seating in the letter openings and having a character thereon; an latchesv comprising a bail portion in front of the panel and ends engaging behind the margins of said openings to hold the letter frames in` place.

V10. In combination, acompartment having a plurality therein; individual letter or character frames for the letter openingseach frame compris-J adapted to rest against the outer face of said sides and an impressed panel perforated with said letter characters and forming an inwardl beveled marginal portion` adapted to seat in said letter openings; said marginal portions being provided with upper and lower apertures and at one side with an outpressed projection; and a latch comprising a airof oppositely projecting ends engag through said perforations, and a bail adapted to be disposed forwardly of the letter opening or to be caught under said projection; said opposite ends being disposed at right angles .to the ends of the bail portion and inclined away from t-he plane of the bail portion on the same side of said plane whereby when the bail portion is disposed straight in front of the let-ter openings thev said ends are removed from the inner face of said sides, and whereby when the bail portion is caught under said projection, said endsa'e engaged tightly against said inner face to hold the letter ing an outer flange 11. In combination, opposed upright brackets; a rotary drum having heads and a' plurality of "sides having letterl openings therein; a housing around said drum having a window; individual character frames of sides having letter openings.

removably seated :in said openings; a reducing gear bracketV adjacent to-one of the opposed upright brackets; a drive shaft mounted in said reducin gear bracket and provided at its end wit a small inion; astub haft rotatably mounted in t e gear bracket provided at the inner end'with a crank an at the outer endwith a large gear meshing with said pinion; a rockin arm pivoted coaxial with said drum; a lin con-l necting the outer end of said arm with said crank; a spring pawl on said arm pressing against the adjacent head; and pins carried on the adjacent head and engaged by said pawl whereby as said contact gear rotates said frame brings successive rows of letter openin s in front of said window.

12. n an advertising displayr device, inA

combination, a rotatable drum; means for rotating the drum; means cooperating with said means for rotating and including spring means engaging pin means on one head of the drum for providing step by step movement of the drum when the drum is rotated;I

and means frictionally engaging the other head of the drum for controlling the momentum of the ydrum in. itsrotation during the step b step movement of the drum.

13. n an advertising display device, in combination, a rotatable drum; meansl for rotating the drum; a shaft rotated by said means for rotating and rovided with a crank; a rocking arm linke with said crank; a spring pawl. on 'said arm; projections on one of the heads of said drum and engaged by said pawl; a bracket at the end of the drum opposite tothe head having 'the pro.

jections thereon; and a friction pad carried by said bracket and engaging the head of the drum opposite to the first mentioned head.

14. In combination, opposed upright brackets; a drum rotatably mounted thereon and comprising heads and sides connecting said heads provided with rowsl of characters perforated therein; lamps in the drum; a stub shaft rotatably mounted in one of said brackets provided with a large contact member provided with an arcuate contact face; a gear bracket; an insulating block mounted upon said gear bracket; a pair of separated contact brushes mounted on said block and adapted simultaneously to engage and disengage from the said contact face as the contact member rotates; conductors connecting said brushes and said lamps in series; and means operated from said stub shaft to rotate said drum step by step when said brushes are disengaged.

15. In combination,` opposed kupright brackets; a drum rotatably mounted therepn llo motor bracket and provided with a beveled gear on the lower end of its shaft; a governor shaft mounted in said motor bracket carrying a governor, a worm, and a beveled pinion engaged with said beveled gear; a reducing gear bracket adjacent to the other of the upright brackets; a drive shaft mounted in said motor and reducing gear brackets and provided at one end with a worm wheel engag-` ing said worm and at the other end with a small pinion; a rotary stub shaft mounted in said reducing gear bracket provided with a contact gear having a contact face and meshing with said small pinion; a pair of brushes adapted to be simultaneously engaged by said face; means for electrically connecting said brushes and said lamps; and means operated from said shaft to rotate said drum.

16. In combination, a rotary drum having a plurality of removable sides each provided with a row of openings therein; character frames removably seated in said openings; sources of light in said'drum for cooperating with said openings in the sides of the drum; means for rotating the drum step by step; and means for darkening said sources- .of light during step by step rotation of the drum.

17. In combination, a rotary drum having a plurality of sldes each provided with a row of openings therein, character frames removably seated in said openings; electric lamps in said drum for cooperating with said openings in the sides of the drum; means for supframes receivable in said openings and having inwardly beveled marginal portions; and

means cooperating with said marginal portions for removably securing said frames in said openings of the sides of the drum.

19. In combination, a rotary drum having heads and a plurality of removable sides connecting the heads, each side being provided with a row of openings therein; character frames receivable in sa1d openings and having inwardly beveled marginal portions provided .With apertures therein and a projection, and a latch and a bail cooperating with said apertures and projection for removably securinv said frames in said openings in the sides o? the drum.

20.4 In combination, a rotatable drum; means for rotating the drum; means comprising a pawl for providing step by step movement of the drum during rotation; an electric lamp; brushes to light the lamp; a gear wheel having an electric contact member engageable wlth the brushes to light the lamp on the back stroke of the pawl while the drum is stationary and disengageable from the brushes for extinguishing the lamp during the active stroke of the pawl and while the drum is moving; and means for operatively connecting the pawl 'and gear wheel.

21. In combination, a rotatable drum; means for rotating the drum; display characters carried by the drum; means comprising a pawl for providing step by step movement of the drum during rotation; an electric lamp for illuminating said characters; brushes to light the lamp; a gear wheel having an electric contact member engagable with the brushes to light the lamp on the back stroke of the pawl while the drum is stationary and disengageable from the brushes for extinguishing the lamp during the active stroke of the pawl and while the drum is moving; and means for operatively connecting the pawl and gear wheel. f

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 21st day of February A. D. 1924.

CHARLES D. wINTERs. 

